NBA Trade Rumors: Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley Prefers To Be Traded To The Eastern Conference
By Chris Kern
With the Mike Conley NBA Trade Rumors heating up we have another twist. The star point guard prefers that the Memphis Grizzlies trade him to the Eastern conference.
With the Mike Conley to Utah NBA Trade Rumors heating up it began to seem like a deal was bound to happen. Now the Memphis Grizzlies star point guard has said he prefers to be traded out East.
Utah's final offer to the Grizzlies for Mike Conley, per @Tjonesonthenba on the show: First-round pick, second-round pick, and expirings, dollar for dollar. Grizzlies asked for Exum and were told no.
— John Martin (@JohnMartin929) February 6, 2019
It had even been reported earlier today that a trade with the Utah Jazz seemed destined to happen. Now we have some surprising news that could keep that from happening.
It is now being reported that Conley prefers to go to the eastern conference. There may be a variety of reasons behind that but if that’s true it would make the Jazz second guess themselves making a big deal to trade for him.
Mike Conley has ZERO interest in being traded to the Utah Jazz, prefers to play for an Eastern Conference team, per @WindhorstESPN.
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 6, 2019
That could put the Detroit Pistons in the driver seat. They have shown interest in Conley and if they want to make the playoffs this would be a good move to do so.
Related Story. 5 Destinations For Memphis Grizzlies’ Mike Conley. light
There definitely are some other teams in the eastern conference who could make this happen. The Toronto Raptors and Indiana Pacers may be the other top spots but there certainly could be a couple of others.
If the Kyle Lowry trade rumors are real then Conley to Toronto could make a lot of sense. There have even been some speculations that a three-team trade could go down with Lowry heading to Utah and Conley going to the Raptors.
Maybe Conley would prefer to go to the East so he could eventually make an all-star game. He has made it known many times that he wants to make the all-star team at some point in his career.
It also could be much easier for him to win in the East that’s for sure. I doubt it really has that much with him just not wanting to go to Utah, I just feel the eastern conference gives him more opportunities to be successful.
Have heard the same as Windy: There is reluctance on Conley's part to go to Utah. That said ... this is not the first time that the Jazz have heard that. Conley is owed $66 million over the next two seasons. If Utah and Memphis came to terms, Conley would have to go ... https://t.co/g4OVNcRkQ1
— Marc Stein (@TheSteinLine) February 6, 2019
It does sound like Utah may have already known about Conley’s preference to go to the East. At the end of the day it isn’t his choice so if he is traded to the Jazz then he certainly would play for them to the best of his abilities.
Being in Utah would still be a great opportunity and it gives him a chance to compete and made a deep postseason run. It may not be exactly what he’s looking for but it would still be a good move for his career.
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While Conley prefers the East he isn’t the type of guy who will make a big fuss about any team he goes to. No matter where he ends up he is going to come in, work hard and will make that team better just like he did in Memphis.